Grandpa Jeff

Matt's grandpa Jeff went to be with Jesus last week. He was a sweet, caring man and will be missed by all. Memorial service will be held Saturday in Grants pass, OR. Please keep the family in your prayers, especially his wife Suzie. We will treasure our memories of him.

Suzie, Ella, and Jeff....
Four generations of Simmons men.... Jeff, Greg, Matt, and baby Marshall!!

Finally....a good old-fashioned snow day!!

We've been waiting and waiting...and it finally came! A day when everything shuts down and there's nothing to do, but play in the snow. Matt had the day off and we were all outside playing by 8:30 AM! The kids had fun throwing snowballs, building a snowman, sledding with the neighbor kids, and just exploring the winter wonderland! The girls lasted about 1 1/2 hours before they came in for cocoa, but Marshall's still outside playing. I hope he comes in for lunch!! Happy snow day!

It's a New Year!!

It's a new year, a fresh start....so here are the top ten resolutions for the family in 2008!!

1. The usual....hit the gym more regularly. We rejoined the gym in October and still don't have our membership cards because we haven't set foot there since that day!

2. Eat more homemade, healthful meals as a family. I started this week by going to the store, actually bought stuff to use in some recipes, came home and started to prepare a barley-lentil stew. After chopping all the vegetables, adding everything to the pot, I poured in the barley I had on hand and noticed it was filled with bugs.....all crawling around in the soup! Had to toss it out along with everything else in that cupboard! Oh well....pizza it was! I guess we'll have to try another day!

3. Remove the red van from our driveway once and for all! Anyone need a project??? Along the same lines....remove carpeting from our bathroom. Why is there carpeting in a bathroom??

4. Get caught up on laundry and stay caught up. This might be impossible if Ava continues to wear 3 or more outfits per day, all needing a good soaking in OxiClean.

5. Matt - Intentionally spend more time with the family.

6. Allie - Intentionally spend more time at the piano.....and more time playing with the kiddos!

7. Marshall - "Maybe work on remembering to do homework....and less TV time."

8. Ella - "Get along with Ava better, especially at bedtime.....and help around the house more."

9. Ava - 1st answer: "When I have a school field trip to the pumpkin patch, make sure I pick the perfect pumpkin." 2nd answer (after a conversation about resolutions): " Maybe not come out of my room as much at bedtime and not cry before school and gymnastics."

10. Sadie - Stop emptying out cupboards and drawers, coloring on walls, and putting things in the toilet. (At least these are our resolutions for Sadie!)

We'll see how 2008 progresses. It was interesting to hear what the kids wanted to work on. The final resolution for all...Have lots of fun....and make sure we get rid of our Christmas tree so it doesn't end up on the side of our house like last year's!!!